Get Moving, Nashville! 4 Hikes You Need to Take this Fall

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Fall weather is on its way! As the leaves begin to change and the summer heat rolls off the Cumberland Plateau, now is the best time of the year to strike out in search of local trailheads! Whether you’re a native or a newcomer, make sure you check off these four parks before the leaves drop…

Did you know? The American Heart Association recommends “at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise.” That’s 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

#1 Radnor Lake State Park (SOUTH)

Serene, quiet, an oasis in the city. You’re guaranteed to find Radnor Lake’s East and West parking lots at max capacity on a nice weekend day, any time of the year! The best time to visit this 1,368-acre park and its 6+ miles of trails is just before sunrise. Take your dog and enjoy a brisk run around the lake. Or, get your muscles burning with an ascent of Ganier Ridge Trail (where pets and running/jogging is strictly forbidden). Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Nashville, you’ll feel like you’ve driven hours away as soon as you take the first step onto one of Radnor’s rugged ridge trails. Get info.

#2 Percy & Edwin Warner Parks (WEST)

Just a 16-minute drive southwest of St. Thomas Medical Group, you’ll find Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, which offer a diverse network of hiking trails, green spaces, mountain bike trails, horse trails, and cross country running courses. From marathon trainees to evening amblers, the Warner Parks attract all types. Grab a map and allow yourself to wander freely, discovering the many creeks and overlooks these parks have to offer. Get info.

#3 Shelby Bottoms Greenway (EAST)

With five miles of paved trails, beautiful wetlands, sweeping river views, and some less-trafficked primitive trails, there’s a lot to love about Shelby Bottoms. If hiking isn’t up your alley, take to Shelby Bottoms Greenway with a bike. Much of the greenway is level, paralleling the Cumberland river, which makes for an easy and pleasant ride in the fall weather. Get info.

#4 Beaman Park (NORTH)

While Shelby Bottoms Greenway is busy, developed, and largely flat, Beaman Park offers a rugged alternative on the northwest side of town. Take the Ridge Top Trail for incredible views and some steep climbs. Marvel at the changing leaves and take in the views as you hike this Nashville gem! Get info.

Find a Partner In Your Health: Nashville Doctors Near You

At St. Thomas Medical Group, primary care physicians partner with patients from all areas of Nashville with a common goal: better health. Hiking and other forms of moderate and vigorous cardiovascular exercise can become a part of your routine health habits. To learn more about how you can better care for your heart – and yourself! – schedule an appointment with a primary care doctor at St. Thomas Medical Group. You can schedule online or by calling +1 (615) 297-2700.